Holiday Gifts at Toys R Us: Made by Parents, Loved by Kids
For the upcoming 2024 holiday season, visit Toys R Us in Macys or through their website to discover toys for your kids created by those who love them best: parents, caregivers, and everyday people! These creators tap into their daily experiences to design toys that resonate with what kids really want and need, creating joyful play moments that last. This year's top Toys R Us picks are perfect for inspiring kids to explore, imagine, and engage with the world around them! Here are this year’s standout toys at Toys R Us, crafted with care, insight, and a dash of holiday magic.
STEM and Learning Toys
Osmo Genius Starter Kit for iPad & iPhone
Best for kids ages 6-10
The genius behind Osmo, Pramod Sharma, created the toy when he noticed the gap between digital and physical play for his young daughter. As a former Google engineer, he felt that screen time left little room for her to experience hands-on interactions. Thus, by partnering with fellow engineer Jerome Scholler, Sharma developed Osmo, a new type of learning experience that combines technology with tangible activities. Osmo uses augmented reality to merge physical objects, like puzzle pieces and drawing tools, with on-screen gameplay. Osmo’s innovative approach has since become a favorite for parents and educators, fostering engaging, interactive learning that makes screen time productive and fun.
With the Osmo Genius Starter Kit, children interact with hands-on game pieces and an iPad to bring learning to life - with no WiFi needed! This interactive kit fosters skills such as visual problem-solving through puzzles, math, geography, and various other games. Children also get to explore marine biology and freehand drawing while also improving their listening, reading, and vocabulary skills. Osmo’s design allows it to “see” every real-life move, creating a responsive learning experience tailored to kids' love of discovery.
To purchase Osmo today:
Elenco Electronics: Snap Circuits Jr
Best for kids ages 8+
Snap Circuits Jr. by Elenco is designed for budding engineers and inventors, introducing the basics of electronics in a safe, hands-on way. Elenco Electronics initially wasn't part of the toy industry, but they were always involved in education, with their first customer having been an education provider. Now, they pursue the mission of helping children foster early STEM skills by making circuitry accessible and engaging for young minds.
With the Snap Circuits Jr. toys, kids learn about how electricity flows, how different components work, and how to troubleshoot simple circuits. This interactive approach builds problem-solving and critical thinking skills, all while letting kids experience the thrill of building something themselves.
To purchase Snap Circuits Jr. today:
Imagination-Driven Toys for Creative Play
Melissa & Doug Take-Along Sorting Barn
Best for toddlers ages 2-5
The Melissa & Doug Take-Along Sorting Barn combines a classic sorting game with portable play. Created by parents who value open-ended play, this barn features colorful animal pieces that fit into corresponding slots, teaching toddlers shape recognition and fine motor skills. Its compact, carry-along design means kids can play and learn wherever they go, making it a perfect travel companion.
To purchase the Take-Along Sorting Barn today:
Active and Outdoor Toys
Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes
Best for kids ages 6-8
Created by a family for active, outdoor fun, Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes lets kids send foam planes flying up to 100 feet with just the power of a stomp! Each plane is designed for exciting stunts, and the set helps kids learn basic physics concepts like force, trajectory, and aerodynamics through play. With its durable, weather-resistant design, Stomp Rocket promises hours of screen-free fun.
To purchase Stomp Rocket today:
PlasmaCar
Best for kids ages 3-7
PlaSmart® Inc., the Canadian company behind PlasmaCar, is known for its commitment to products that are smart, simple, and fun. Founded in 2003, PlaSmart seeks out unique, easy-to-use toys that foster skill development without complex instructions. The PlasmaCar embodies PlaSmart’s values with its simple design, helping kids build motor skills, balance, and coordination while they ride. Its durable design makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor play, making it a family favorite for active fun.
To purchase PlasmaCar today:
Arts and Crafts Toys
Kid Made Modern - Arts & Crafts Library
Best for kids ages 6-11
Kid Made Modern’s Arts & Crafts Library has everything kids need for endless crafting sessions. Developed by a designer and managed by a team of moms who believe in the power of self-expression, this kit includes over 1,000 pieces—from beads to googly eyes—making it perfect for hours of creativity. Kids can create unique projects, explore new textures, and practice fine motor skills while letting their imaginations run wild.
To purchase Kid Made Modern today:
Crayola Color Chemistry Lab
Best for kids ages 7-9
This holiday season's last toy is from a brand many kids start their creative journeys with - Crayola, a brand known for inspiring creativity! Crayola’s Color Chemistry Lab Kit lets kids explore the magic of science with over 50 colorful experiments. This set introduces kids to basic chemistry concepts in a fun, hands-on way. With step-by-step instructions for each experiment, young scientists can enjoy hours of exploration, learning about reactions, color theory, and more.
To purchase Crayola Color Chemistry Lab today:
Conclusion
This holiday season, choose gifts from Toys R Us that connect with kids on a deeper level. These thoughtfully crafted toys by parents and caregivers inspire growth, joy, and endless hours of play. If you're a parent, caregiver, or someone passionate about creating toys for kids, check out Toy Creators Academy, TCA, a program dedicated to helping aspiring toy creators bring their ideas to fruition by clicking here!